I believe this issue has been around before (aprox 2 years ago)
After clicking Play on Steam, the FFXIV launcher boots as normal, I log in using my account information and press Play on the launcher.
The game then boots into a black screen, and task manager will display FFXIV as 'Not responding', it will then crash without any error codes.
BUT....
If I edit 'steam_api64.dll' into anything else _after_ I've launched the launcher - the game will start as normal without issues.
This started happening again after the game got patched yesterday.
I'm glad the work around still works, but I'd like to report this issue regardless, because I'd like to play the game without constantly having to edit a filename...
If at all relevant:
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Game won't boot properly unless I edit a filename (Steam)
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08-06-2025, 07:47 PMAliyssiaGame won't boot properly unless I edit a filename (Steam)
-
08-09-2025, 02:29 AMQzthlxfpwm
Good morning! Thank you for posting in the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums.
Please try the following:
- Try switching to DirectX 9 by selecting the ‘Config’ button on the launcher.
- Update and reinstall the drivers for your graphics card and sound drivers (if applicable).
- Perform a clean boot by opening the task manager and select the 'Start up' Tab. Disable
everything.
- Please be sure that Final Fantasy XIV is installed to the C: Drive.
- Please be sure to disable or remove any overlays (Discord, Steam, NVIDIA etc.) as they may
interfere with startup.
- Make sure that the Windows OS is fully updated.
- Reinstall game If steam version, try uninstalling and reinstalling both the game and steam)
- Verify installation files (Steam)
- Disable Full Screen Optimizations. To disable this, please find the "ffxiv_dx11.exe" and right click it
and select properties. Then under the compatibility tab there will be a check box labeled "Disable
Full Screen Optimizations". Check it and click apply.
- Open the Nvidia Control Panel and going to 'Manage 3D Settings'. From here, select 'Program
Settings' and select Final Fantasy XIV. You should see an option to select the GPU. Make sure it's set
to your dedicated graphics card (it may be set to 'Auto' by default).
Thank you for visiting the Final Fantasy XIV Technical Support Forums! -
08-15-2025, 05:58 AMAliyssiaQuote:
Originally Posted by Qzthlxfpwm
Hey there,
Thanks for responding and I apologize if my response is somewhat delayed.
I'd like to point out that:
1. You can no longer switch between DirectX 9 or 11 on the launcher, for this option was removed with the updated graphics in the DT expac. (So suggesting it as a possible fix is a bit of a weird one!)
2. I don't think anyone out there installs games on their C: drive anymore, primarily to keep their boot OS safe. So, again, seem like a weird suggestion (but who knows!)
3. You also cannot verify game file integrity through Steam, because it recognizes it uses a separate launcher (Yours!). Doing so through the FFXIV launcher fully re-installs the game (Which I've done - it did not help.)
4. Disabling Full Screen Optimizations, in fact, caused the entire launcher to not boot, and after disabling this option again - the launcher booted as normal.
5. I could not find the option you're referring to in the Nvidia Control Panel.
To conclude,
I'm not entirely sure _what_ has changed from patch day to present day, but it has somehow resolved itself. Unsure whether this was per a Steam update or a FFXIV one.
I simply wanted to make people aware that a previous issue had resurfaced and it needed looking at.
Kind regards,
Ali -
08-20-2025, 01:16 AMQzthlxfpwm
I am glad that are you are no longer experiencing this issue. If you have any more questions or concerns, please post again in the technical support forums.
This thread will be moved to "Support Center Resolved”